Royal Kate sees life below the stairs on ‘Downton Abbey’ set

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is shown the Downton Abbey servants bells by actor Brendan Coyle (John Bates) during an official visit to the set of Downton Abbey at Ealing Studios on March 12, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON — “Downton Abbey” welcomed a royal visitor Thursday – and the TV show’s creator told the Duchess of Cambridge she’s partly responsible for its global success.